's MOTD Wed 8/23/2006 Stretching

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's Daily MessageWednesdayAugust 23, 2006

LOCKED

Does your body feel like you`ve locked up? Well, maybe it`s because you don`t stretch your body! I know I talk a lot about cardio and toning, but for the last decade, I have really been preaching the importance of stretching. Many people`s bodies look older than they should because they let their body get all bent out of shape. Stretching your body is like ironing an expensive blouse. You work hard to get the body stretched and the wrinkles out. All of my workout videos have a stretch warm up and cool down, but I`m not talking about those stretches. I`m talking about the stretches you should do when you wake up and before you go to bed.

When you awake, don`t think of doing any stretches in bed. Goodness, you`ve been lying on that bed so long! Get up and stand up to stretch. First you should stretch your lungs by taking some deep breaths. As you inhale, bring both your hands up, and as you exhale, bring both your hands down. Do that a few times. Then put both hands up in the air and start reaching for the sky, and when you reach, reach all the way from your waist. Move your head slowly from side to side, and tilt your head slowly, like you are touching your ears to your shoulders. Do some shoulder rolls and small waist twists. Stretch down and try to touch your toes, and if you have a tender back, bend your knees. Lie down and stretch your legs – your quads, hamstrings, calves, and ankles. Get on all fours and do some cat stretches, where you start off with a flat back and then round it like a cat would.

When you`re done, get up and shake around a bit. Go drink some water and go pat yourself on the back. The stretches will elongate and tone your muscles, and at the same time, align your bones. Stretching will give you improved posture, and you will look, act, and walk much younger than your years. The next workout I will do will be a stretch workout with a little Yoga, a little Pilates, and a little me!

Now raise your right hand if you are not stretching enough. Wow, that many of you! Try these stretches for seven days in the morning and evening, and let me know how you feel!

Love,